By DANNY O.SAGUN

OTHER big cities experience worse traffic conditions than Dagupan Cty during the holiday season, the head of the public order and safety office claimed Thursday.

The closure of two major streets – Galvan and Zamora – to traffic to pave the way for the popular “Tiangge” - contributed largely to the clogging of traffic on A. B. Fernandez Avenue, the city’s major thoroughfare, Robert Erfe-Mejia admitted in a radio interview.

The worsening traffic condition here has prompted some observers to compare the present Fernandez administration to that of its predecessor. They claimed that even during the holiday season, traffic was kept to its tolerable level during the time of former Mayor Benjamin S. Lim due to strict clearing of sidewalks and proper parking of vehicles.

It was observed that sidewalk vendors now have been clogging alleys on the stretch of A. B. Fernandez Avenue making it very difficult for pedestrians to pass and even forcing them to use the roads. Motorists also have a hard time parking their vehicles properly because of the presence of ambulant vendors at the parking areas.

Erfe-Mejia said that parking has been allowed at the right side of the avenue going west during the holiday season. Normally, parking is only allowed on the left side.

‘Dancing traffic aides’ were also designated on three major intersections to effect smooth traffic flow, he said.

He observed that the problem is more serious in other urban areas like Baguio and San Fernando City in La Union during this time of the year. (DOS/PIA)